At 21:00 on a cold night in the Spanish capital, behind closed doors, Málaga CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid locked horns on matchday 4 of LaLiga SmartBank. Juvenil player David Larrubia made his debut in the Blue and White starting line-up.
The match got off to a fairly even start. Both sides sought to gain control of play and dominate possession. The Blue and Whites, dressed in green and purple on this occasion, attempted to open the scoring without success.
However, it was the local team that took the lead. Isi converted a rigorous penalty, which required VAR intervention, in minute 18 (1-0). Just three minutes later, in 21’, Rayo increased their advantage following a Juande own goal (2-0) from a cross by Álvaro on the left.
Far from being deflated, Pellicer’s men went all out on the attack. They launched several dangerous approaches to the Rayo area and dominated the ball but didn’t manage to get on the scoreboard. At half-time the score remained 2-0.
Rayo Vallecano scored their third goal before the first 15 minutes of the second half was up, the work of Pozo (3-0, min 58). The level of intensity gradually began to decline, and the chilly weather started to affect the pace of play. Nevertheless, the visitors attempted to overcome the rival defence with numerous attempts but lacked precision in the face of goal. In the second half, Chavarría and Jairo made their debut as Malaguistas, along with Luis Muñoz, wearing the number ‘8’ jersey and with a professional registration, the first time this campaign.
In stoppage time a superb header from Antoñín (4-0, 93’) led to the fourth and final goal for Rayo. The three points remain at Vallecas and Málaga CF have six points in the pot after four matches in LaLiga SmartBank.
